ok, update. I tried tapping it with a hammer while on...and nothing. how hard should i be hitting it? I really don't want to freeze it, because i won't be able recover most of my data anyways. Should i be hitting it hard? on the side? the front? the top? While it's on or off?

Thanks again guys

Hi try the freezer thing first. It won't harm the drive in any way. with how hard to tap it drop it on it's side from about 3 feet high all of these suggestions are last resort..

P.S you can get an adapter for the drive very cheap so you can plug it into and IDE port for diagnostic

ok, i'll try the freezer trick. i'll pop it into a ziplock and make sure there's no air inside.

and drop it from 3 ft? really that high?

Well with mine that was recently shot I had to hold it in one hand and slap it hard against my other hand while pluged in. when slaping it have up the way it would be as if it was flat on the desk.

Let us know the results the other thing I just thought of it could be a problem with the usb case and controler maybe the adapter is a good option

I have had this problem with numerous harddrives. Is it a Seagate External Harddrive? (I just received my 4th Seagate FreeAgent go RMA today =P) Try removing the harddrive from the enclosure, and connecting it into your computer on the inside, if you have the proper connectors.

it's an internal seagate i put into an enclosure. the freezing doesn't seem to work, though it is spinning up slightly more now...that's after about 12 hours tho.